Introduction

Work an Hour is the Annual Asha-wide Internet based fundraiser. The WAH 2006 Committee (asha-wah@yahoogroups.com) comprises chapter representatives and interested volunteers. The host chapter, Asha-Silicon Valley, will be coordinating WAH 2006 and will layout the guidelines for Project nomination and selection and will have the authority to ensure adherence to them.

The host chapter will be responsible for screening all nominations using these guidelines. Only those that successfully conform will be accepted for further review and ranking by all chapters. All projects that conform will be forwarded to chapters unless a need for dwindling down is felt in order to allow chapters a fair chance at reviewing all projects before ranking them. The intent is to fund about 5 projects and to have at most 12 projects for review and ranking. If there are a large number of qualifying nominations, only the first 12 to get all documentation in will be considered for review and ranking.

Funding amounts per project etc.

The philosophy is that WAH should fund projects that a single chapter or a few chapters together cannot easily fund. A minimum amount has been set at $20,000 per project nomination i.e. WAH will not fund projects that require less than $20,000. There is no ceiling that is imposed on the asking amount other than any restrictions that may be entailed by the WAH target for this year.

While discussions of the WAH target are not directly related to the project discussion, we mention it here for relevance) The WAH target for the year is set in two parts. From previous experience, the average contribution per donor appears to be more or less constant. We feel one of the goals of WAH should be awareness, and reach. Thus our goals are to raise $175,000 and to get 2500 donors. The feeling is that if we do reach our donor number goal, we will almost surely meet the dollar goal.

Types of costs supported by WAH 2006:

A variety of different costs can be supported by WAH e.g., infrastructure, expansion, equipment, teaching aids, operational costs, costs related to food, nutrition or health, text books, curriculum development, salaries, stipends, scholarships, transportation, costs associated with setting up long term sustenance for the project, etc.

The primary focus, however, is that the project be instrumental in helping to establish a new (germinating effort) project by funding fully or mostly its startup costs or fund a significant part of its tangible assets so that the project gets a kick-start which would otherwise not be possible.

For existing projects, WAH funding should provide a quantum boost that is catalytic in making a significant change in the quality, sustenance, impact or reach of the project.

Other guidelines:

• A project nomination will be acceptable only if there is a previously existing satisfactory relationship or history of the NGO with the nominating chapter or any other Asha chapter lasting for at least one year.
• NGOs funded through WAH 2005 will not be considered for funding this cycle.
• There should be a recent site visit report (6 month old max.) for the nominated project or to a related project by the same NGO, for new project nominations. In case the site visit is for a related project by the same NGO, there should be a convincing rationale for the proposed new project.
• If a project is proposed by a set of chapters together, we need one chapter to take ownership of the project, and a primary steward from that chapter for the project will be the WAH contact person for the project. For all practical purposes this will then be treated similar to a project proposed by just one chapter.
• If a project is proposed by a set of individuals coming together, they need to get a chapter to *sponsor* their request to propose the project for WAH. Hence forward, the project will be treated as proposed by this chapter, and responsibility rests with this chapter.
• It will not be permitted to club a number of smaller projects together to *form* one large project. These smaller projects must work towards a common larger goal for this to be considered a single project.. It is left to the discretion of the host chapter to decide which nominations qualify based on this criterion.
• One chapter can only propose one project.

Project Submission Requirements:

• This information is provided here to help chapters begin preparing in advance for submitting the required information. More requirements may be added at a later date.
• Clear itemized budget with one-time and recurring costs clearly delineated.
• Permanent FCRA clearance (copy of clearance certificate). Projects without an FCRA clearance will be considered on a case-to-case basis.
• Recent site visit report.
• All required and applicable project information should be submitted in appropriate format using html tool developed by web team working with the Silicon Valley WAH team.
• Along with the information required by the html tool, chapters should submit a short informational/promotional email text that will be used in WAH publicity. This text should be submitted by the nomination deadline for project submissions and applies to all submitted nominations.
• Nominating chapter should maintain an updated website for this project with additional and appropriate information.
• Project steward from the nominating chapter should obtain and maintain on file, a copy of the Memorandum of Association for the NGO along with a copy of the FCRA, executed contract and the copy of the original proposal and budget

Project Selection Process:

• Projects screened using the above scope and nomination requirements
• Teleconferences by WAH Committee held on projects (project stewards are required to attend conferences that relate to them) to discuss and debate relevant issues. (Due to time constraints, it will be very hard to reschedule teleconferences)
• WAH Committee coordinates with nominating chapter and project steward to get additional details or information as needed BEFORE chapter ranking or voting.
• Chapters/stewards are requested not to solicit support for their projects after all project reviews are complete and the ranking/voting process is ongoing.
• We feel chapters proposing projects should act as good ambassadors for the project. Hence campaigning for the project is not a bad thing in itself. But chapters/stewards will desist from sending mail on Asha mailing lists asking people to vote for their projects. There will also be no negative campaigning on Asha lists by proposing chapters/stewards. (Personal opinions on projects may be discussed person to person, and not on Asha lists). For the most part, we go by good faith that all chapters/stewards will follow this, but if this is not followed, the host chapter reserves the right to make appropriate decisions based on the circumstances.
• During discussions/reviews in the conference calls/online etc. everyone will desist from personal attacks or accusations against other volunteers. In such an event, the host chapter is allowed to end the discussion and take appropriate decisions.